After their worst season in 30 years (82-80), the New York Yankees were forced to take action. The 27-time champions immediately asserted themselves, acquiring outfielder Alex Verdugo in a deal with their arch-rival Red Sox on Dec. 5. One day later, the club traded for superstar outfielder Juan Soto in a seven-player deal with the Padres. New York also landed fellow outfielder Trent Grisham in the exchange, who will come off the bench as a depth piece.
Finally, the Bronx Bombers signed right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman to a two-year, $37 million deal on Jan. 17. The two-time All-Star projects to slot in the middle of the starting rotation. With Spring Training now in full swing, the Yankees will focus on gelling as a team with these new faces in the fray.
New York Yankees: the Soto audition year
With Soto in the last year of his contract, the New York Yankees have limited time to prove their worth to him as a long-term destination. The 25-year-old will almost certainly test the open market after the season ends, which Yankees general manager Brian Cashman even admitted.
Regarding Juan Soto, Brian Cashman said that “the odds are this is a one-year situation” before Soto will become a free agent.
“I don’t see too many things stopping him from reaching free agency.”
— Bryan Hoch ?? (@BryanHoch) February 15, 2024
Soto is represented by Scott Boras, who’s known for having his players test free agency in order to maximize potential earnings. The Yankees, who are famous for their deep pockets, could easily match whatever offer gets thrown Soto’s way. However, the team will have to actually play to its elite talent level in order for the former National to consider signing a max contract in the Bronx. Otherwise, this will end up being a pricey one-year rental.
New York Yankees roster makeup
Soto will team up with franchise cornerstones Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, arguably giving the New York Yankees the best star trio in the league. However, that won’t be enough on its own to reach the promised land. The supporting cast will need to both stay healthy and play to their full potential, neither of which happened consistently last year. Several key contributors are coming off either injury-riddled or down years. To name a few:
- LHP Carlos Rodón (64.1 IP, 6.85 ERA, 1.45 WHIP)
- LHP Nestor Cortes (63.1 IP, 4.97 ERA, 1.25 WHIP)
- RHP Marcus Stroman (10-9, 3.95 ERA, 1.26 WHIP)
- RHP Johnathan Loáisiga (17.2 IP)
- 3B DJ Lemahieu (.243/.327/.390)
- DH Giancarlo Stanton (.191/.275/.420)
- 1B Anthony Rizzo (.244/.328/.378)
Rodón, Cortes, and Loáisiga only appeared in a handful of games due to injuries. On the other hand, Stroman and Lemahieu each had a tale of two halves. Stroman tossed his way into his second All-Star selection early on before posting an 8.31 ERA in 34 2/3 innings after July. The former Cub was hampered by rib and hip ailments. Meanwhile, Lemahieu had the opposite arc, slowly improving his production as he healed from his 2022 toe injury. Luckily, each of these players is currently healthy, but it’s a long season, and things could go awry at any moment for the New York Yankees.
Other key pieces and season expectations
Top prospect Jasson Dominguez, however, is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. “The Martian” registered a .980 OPS in limited action before going down. The outfielder projects to be back in June or July, and he could possibly give the Yankees a second-half boost, judging by his work in 2023. Fellow youngsters Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza will also need to make a major impact after quiet seasons. They each hit .209 and .191, respectively, last year.
It’s a long shot for all of these aforementioned players to stay healthy and have quality seasons this year. However, if enough of them do, in addition to the core trio all having typically excellent campaigns, the New York Yankees could be in serious World Series contention. If something major goes wrong, though, expect another middling season and for Soto to jump ship.
For More Great Sports Content
Joshua is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. He started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper. When he’s not watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or writing a screenplay.
Follow him on Twitter @joshvaldez100, and follow us on Twitter @TotalApexSports. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on all the latest in ALL sports, click here.
1 Comment
Unlimited Elite USA Private Proxies – 100 Anonymity and Quickest Pace – Buy Proxies Today on https://DreamProxies.com